Amy Joseph Pedersen

Amy Joseph Pedersen is senior counsel focusing on employment counseling for health care providers and plans.  Drawing on her many years as an employment law litigator, she is known for her ability to give direct, strategic and actionable advice.  Amy has substantial trial experience in state and federal courts, as well as in administrative proceedings and arbitration, in all areas of employment law including discrimination and wage class actions. Amy is not currently accepting new clients.

Experience

  • Employment Advice

    Regular employment advice given to employers in many industries, including health care, entertainment, marketing, sports, manufacturing, architecture, real estate, technology, insurance, retail, non-profits, forest products, media, financial services, telecommunications, web services and construction.

  • Workplace Investigations

    Workplace investigations of race and gender discrimination and whistleblower retaliation.

  • Nike v. Dekovic, et. al.

    Obtained temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction on behalf of Nike in misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract, and business tort litigation involving Adidas and three former Nike footwear designers, ultimately securing confidential settlement after favorable discovery rulings.

  • Ossana v. Nike

    Defense verdict after lengthy jury trial in which plaintiff sought $27M in damages, including punitive damages, for alleged whistleblower retaliation

  • Ranza v. Nike & Nike European Operations Netherlands

    Won motion to dismiss based on complex jurisdictional issues after extensive discovery in sex and age discrimination case. Decision affirmed by Ninth Circuit.

  • Callaway Golf v. Nike.

    Injunction avoided in case of first impression where Callaway Golf attempted to enjoin Nike’s hiring of executive by use of novel “inevitable disclosure” doctrine. Petition for writ of mandamus to Oregon Supreme Court by Callaway Golf defeated.

Credentials

    • Partner, Stoel Rives (2005-2024)

    • Associate and then Partner, Tonkin Torp, LLP (1985-2005)

    • Named by Best Lawyers® as Litigation—Labor & Employment “Lawyer of the Year,” Portland, 2020

    • Included in The Best Lawyers in America® (Employment Law—Management, Litigation—Labor & Employment), 2009–present

    • Selected as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” (Oregon) by Chambers USA (Labor & Employment), 2006–present (“always in command of the issues” and “understands how businesspeople look at a legal matter,” 2014; “a seasoned labor and employment attorney,” 2013; “a force to be reckoned with,” 2012; “practical, responsive and a real virtuoso at finding a middle ground that works,” 2011; highly regarded for her “incisive litigation and trial skills,” 2010; offers “practical legal advice and irreplaceable trial skills,” 2009; “tough litigator” who provides “high quality, great value advice,” 2008; “tenacious and refreshingly client-oriented,” 2007; “straightforward, no-nonsense, smart litigator,” 2006)

    • Listed in Oregon Super Lawyers® (Employment Litigation: Defense, Employment & Labor), 2008–2023

    • Listed in Oregon Super Lawyers® in Top 25 Women Lawyers, 2008–2014

    • AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating™ from Martindale-Hubbell

    • Selected as a “Litigation Star” and “Labor & Employment Star” by Benchmark Litigation (Labor and Employment)

    • Pro Bono Award of Merit, Multnomah Bar Association, 2011 Professional

    • University of Virginia School of Law (1985)

    • University of Oregon, Bachelor of Arts (1982)

    • Southeast Legal Clinic, Volunteer

    • Domestic Violence Project, Volunteer

    • Legal Aid Services of Oregon, Volunteer

    • United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, former Member, Board of Directors

    • Janus Youth Programs, former Member, Board of Directors, and former President

    • Children’s Land Trust, former Member, Board of Directors